Jarrett V Report post Posted January 12, 2012 I just finished these two matching belts except one is only half tooled and half basketweave. They both have chocolate dyed backgrounds and dark brown antiquing. I stitched both of these with my newly acquired Cobra 4, which is a great machine by the way, with #69 thread at somewhere around 10 stitches per inch. Any kind of critiquing is welcome. Today is my official 1 year of tooling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 12, 2012 Very nice, looks like a bit of work! How much time to tool a belt like that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted January 12, 2012 I'm still not big on antique (at all) - but that's a NICE looking belt. Love the stitching, too .. keep at it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohn Report post Posted January 12, 2012 Excellent job on those belts they turned out beautiful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoName Report post Posted January 12, 2012 Nice work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrett V Report post Posted January 12, 2012 Very nice, looks like a bit of work! How much time to tool a belt like that? Thanks to everyone. As far as time goes i think i have maybe 6 or 7 hours in the half and half belt and around 8 or 9 in the fully tooled one. Im still a little bit slow but I know that i Have came a long way since my first wallet a year ago lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greybeard Report post Posted January 12, 2012 Thanks to everyone. As far as time goes i think i have maybe 6 or 7 hours in the half and half belt and around 8 or 9 in the fully tooled one. Im still a little bit slow but I know that i Have came a long way since my first wallet a year ago lol Nice work! So, what do you charge for 6-9 hrs worth of work (1 belt)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrett V Report post Posted January 13, 2012 Nice work! So, what do you charge for 6-9 hrs worth of work (1 belt)? Most of my leather is priced by the piece but if I just had to break it down i'd say after materials are paid for i generally get around $20 an hour. I don't necessarily like to say that because in my opinion its all works of ART and I enjoy doing this, But I must also say it does help cover some of my College tuition lol. Being an Agriculture Major isn't cheap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greybeard Report post Posted January 13, 2012 Most of my leather is priced by the piece but if I just had to break it down i'd say after materials are paid for i generally get around $20 an hour. I don't necessarily like to say that because in my opinion its all works of ART and I enjoy doing this, But I must also say it does help cover some of my College tuition lol. Being an Agriculture Major isn't cheap. Trust me, don't make apologizes for charging for your "ART". As a Tattoo artist I am constantly reminding my customers that Art has Value and that they should pay accordingly. It takes time From the Concept, work up, tat up, clean up... and time IS money. (They would rather get it for nothing ). Same goes for Leather.... and Kudos to you for going for that degree! Although It looks like you have a future in Leather :thumbsup: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrett V Report post Posted January 13, 2012 Trust me, don't make apologizes for charging for your "ART". As a Tattoo artist I am constantly reminding my customers that Art has Value and that they should pay accordingly. It takes time From the Concept, work up, tat up, clean up... and time IS money. (They would rather get it for nothing ). Same goes for Leather.... and Kudos to you for going for that degree! Although It looks like you have a future in Leather :thumbsup: Thank you very much. Now if I could just get some more projects out the door. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eaglestroker Report post Posted January 13, 2012 That's really impressive work my friend, from another student! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleAdobe Report post Posted January 17, 2012 Jarret That is a really fine job, especially like the mixed belt. Classic style. You're comment about being an Ag major and making ends meet reminded me of myself many years ago. Filigree, buckstitched belts were in high fashion at the time,(mid-70's), and I was a struggling Ag major, never finished school, LOL, but I did continue my mostly self taught education in leather work. In an aside, I have always struggled with how much to charge for my work. It's an ongoing thing with me. Again, super good job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROC Report post Posted January 17, 2012 Really nice work keep it up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrett V Report post Posted January 18, 2012 Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Double U Leather Report post Posted January 18, 2012 Jarrett....those are good looking belts. Nicely done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluesman Report post Posted January 20, 2012 Killer belts!! Your work is awesome. What basketweave tool did you use. Can't believe hw straight and level it is. Great Job:You_Rock_Emoticon: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrett V Report post Posted January 21, 2012 Killer belts!! Your work is awesome. What basketweave tool did you use. Can't believe hw straight and level it is. Great Job:You_Rock_Emoticon: I used one of Barry Kings basket weave stamps and i must say how much nicer it stamps in comparison to a craftool Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tex Report post Posted January 22, 2012 Excellent work in my eye view. Just keep doing what you are doing.. And don't apologize for the prices you charge to make something. It takes a bit of time to do this kind of work. If someone don't want to pay your price tell them to go buy something mass produced from some foreign country that you don't compete with that kind of junk. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
